red or yellow ackies?

[snakemann87]

Hey, at the recent herp show i saw some BEAUTIFUl red ackies and a couple yellows. The guy with the yellow said that yellows are the better of the two, being tamer. I was wondering if this is true, I thought he may be saying this for me to get it cause the reds I held were fine. He also said a 20gallon is a good size for an adult? I don't believe this, I'd probably get a 55 gallon and get 1 or 2 ackies.

Do any of you keep them? How big of cages do you keep them in? Which of the two do you prefer?

[snakemann87]

anyone..............lol

[chas*e]

A 20 gal for two eh...... That guy is an idiot! I wouldn't even house one in a 20 gal let alone two! Just because they are "Pygmy Varanids" it doesn't mean they can thrive in a Pygmy habitat. I would go atleast 5'L x 3'W x 2'H for a pair. JMHO

Ed
(At a friends computer)

[snakemann87]

ok thanks, i would need a 5'L x 3'W x 2'H for 1 red or yellow ackie??? Also do you think one is better than the other.

[tabastifur]

Hey Snakemann,

Depending on what you are getting a 55 gallon could be ok. Red Ackies get much larger than yellows. For a trio of reds, you would need a 6'x3'x2'. I wouldn't go much smaller than that. As for Yellows, trios can be kept in 4'x2'x2'. I have a a yellow in a 4'x2'x2' all by himself and he has plenty of room.

As for the temperment, as a rule, Yellows are more tame, but Reds are fine as well. It's basically what you have the funds to support. If you have the money to house 1, 2, or 3 reds, then by all means go for it. But do know that they are more expensive than yellows. Expect to pay anywhere from 500-700 for a red. And 350-500 for a yellow. For the reasons listed above, I prefer Yellow's. But it is personal preference, and if I had the extra cash, I would probably prefer reds.

I hope this has been of some help.

Best of luck,

Dan

[snakemann87]

yes it has, thank you.

[tabastifur]

You're welcome. Good luck!

[markb]

acanthurus is known across Australias north region, in beije, reds and yellows...they live in semi-social groups and getting more than 1 is preferable if you can....there is a ton of material on them in magazines. I just wrote one for Reptilia so look for that....they are both docile so no worry there...a wooden cage keeps the heat in better than glass.

good luck,
mark

[snakemann87]

awesome thanks. I never read reptilia. Who knows maybe ill subscribe for it now:)